Renaissance cover; Spain; 16th century.

Renaissance façade; Spain; XVI century.
Carved marble.
Slight losses.
Measurements: 307 x 200 x 30 cm.
Façade conceived for a private residence, probably a palatial home. The strict symmetry of the work and the cult to the pure geometric forms that this portico exudes show that it is a Renaissance work, inspired by aesthetic models of classical antiquity. Each of the pilasters that make up the sides has an identical decoration, in relief based on acanthus leaves, ribbons, ovals, tendrils, scrolls of curves and counter-curves. These decorative elements are mainly carved in subtle relief. This type of ornamentation, known as candelieri or a candelieri, comes from Italy, although in Spain it reached a great popularity being a very repeated and reinterpreted resource, which would form an indispensable part of the aesthetics of other styles such as baroque or plateresque. As for the pediment, it has a rectangular finish with an overhanging cornice in the upper zone, characteristic of the Roman temple. The frieze shows on the sides two young people with their hands raised and in the center framed in three semicircular arches three busts, one female and two male, clearly inspired by Roman statuary.
During the Renaissance, Italian architecture enjoyed a development comparable to the rest of its artistic manifestations. Craftsmen spent a minimum of ten years as apprentices before being considered sufficiently qualified to become masters. Although late Gothic style architecture prevailed in central and northern Europe almost until the first half of the 16th century, the Renaissance style, born in Italy, soon spread throughout the European courts. It completely changes the concept of decoration and affirms the idea of the house as a "residence" and becomes a fundamental element of the stately home. It takes shape a type of majestic domestic aesthetics, of elegant classical proportions and built with refined wisdom. In the decorative theme, architectural elements such as columns, plinths, pilasters, balustrades, mirrors, moldings, high carved motifs and bas-reliefs began to be used.